Saturday, May 30, 2015

I now know that one of the best coffees are the ones served when you visit the much revered Imam of Ba'alwie Mosque in Singapore.

But of course one would get more than just great coffees and Allah knows better the unseen gifts the Imam could offer his visitors. Was gobsmacked when the imam presented us with two heavily loaded and beautifully wrapped boxes of Ajwa dates! [A contrast to the small gifts we brought for him].

Anyhow, pray we would be able to upload our interview with Habib Hassan bin Muhammad Al Attas soon InshaAllah. The habib kindly spoke about the history of the Ba'alwie mosque; his late father's role in setting up the mosque; how the Alawiyah and Al Attas Tariqa came about; and how he met a relative of Habib Nuh the Grand Saint and discovered the maqam of Habib Nuh's father in Penang.

***

Of course, we visited Maqam Habib Nuh too. And of course I prayed for some of you dear readers, people who think well of me although I am a sinner and a nobody, and yet sometimes some of you asked this faqir to make du'a, mashaAllah. You know who you are, of course, of course, of course!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.
It's unbelievable that this took place today [Sunday 24th May 2015].

When I told Dr Jasser Auda how I had discovered his book in September 2014; how much I wanted to meet him to talk about his book 'A Journey to God'; how pleasantly surprised I was when a friend told me he's in KL; and how thrilled I was that the organizer easily agreed for us to have the interview...when I told him all that, Dr Auda said:

'It is Allah's wisdom.'

Those are simple words which we all know, yet when he said it, it felt different, it's like the meaning of the sentence suddenly carries its real weight, that indeed it is Allah's wisdom. In fact everything that has taken place and that will take place is and will be Allah's wisdom, nothing more, nothing less. Everything is encompassed in His wisdom.

Subhanallah.

Alhamdulillah.

During the interview, I first asked what inspired him to write the book, the journey he undertook while writing the book and then we went through ten aphorisms from the Hikam of Ibn Ataillah.

He said it all traced back to his 15 minutes daily tausiyah during the entire 30 days of Ramadhan in a mosque in Egypt. It so happened that someone in the audience recorded his tausiyah. He then asked for a copy of the video, made a transcript and eventually a book out of it, in Arabic. An English version published by Awakening Publications followed suit.

'In His hand is all good' is one Qur'anic verse I discovered in Dr Auda's book. It has become my favorite mantra now. In His hand is all good. How true? But of course I have picked up more than just one thing from the book, [and now I can say] from our meeting too : )

Do check out Al Falah TV Youtube channel for recordings of the discourse with Dr Auda.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah, we are pleased to announce that the intended majlis to be led by Shaykh Fahmi Zamzam al-Maliki will be held as planned inshaAllah.

Singaporeans are fortunate to have event organizers who religiously put together one good event after another. So, Singaporeans should mark their calendar and free up their weekend on 30th and 31st May 2015.

Fortunate is he/she who gets to sit in a garden of knowledge in a House of Allah reading a kitab by the legendary Imam Al Ghazali, Hujjatul Islam.

May Allah bless the participants, organizers and supporters.

Found this hadith quoted by Imam Al Ghazali in his Kitab Bidayatul Hidayah:

'Of two persons who keep company with each other, the more beloved to God, is certainly he who is more kind to his companion.'

Saturday, May 23, 2015

As you might remember, there was a couple of postings made in September last year about how excited and inspired I was about Dr Jasser Auda's book - 'A Journey to God'. I even thought of flying to Doha to interview him.

Guess what, if all goes well, I will get to meet and interview him soon! Allah Kareem! Allah Mujib!

Hence we have created a slot on Al Falah TV Youtube channel called Book Insights where we will bi-iznillah feature Dr Jasser Auda.

Below are his words, quoted from the said book in which he reflects upon 30 aphorisms of Hikam by Shaykh Ibn Ata'illah.

***

'Neediness is the source of humiliation and illusion is the source of neediness. Freedom from all this is the solution and is another step in God's way.'

***

'When you open your eyes in the morning, ask yourself: What is the first thing that comes to my mind? What is my goal? Is it the hereafter? Is it about God? If this is the case, God will grant you contentment and cause this worldly life to come to you despite your indifference to it.'

***

The journey to God in this life is much shorter than the journey to Him in the afterlife.'

Friday, May 22, 2015

It was a joy to again visit Al Hafiz Datuk Haji Abdullah Bukhari, former long-time imam of Masjid Kapitan Keling, a recipient of Penang's Maal Hijrah personality award, a member of the state's Fatwa Council -- but all official titles aside, this 83 year old man insisted that we refer to him as ustaz.

I had interviewed him once, several years ago, when he was still serving as imam of Masjid Kapitan Keling. I had visited him at his residence before. Yesterday's ziarah was both a happy and sad occasion because he looked a little frail.

However, that was not the first thing we noticed as we entered his house. The moment we stepped in, we saw a charismatic figure sitting in the living room smiling. Instantaneously he raised up his hands and with an energetic voice he said out loud barakallah...barakallah.

MashaAllah!

Look out for a recording of his message in conjunction with the month of Shaaban. He did not have much voice left, yet he was willing to speak and let us record his words of advice.

Datuk Haji Abdullah Al-Bukhari

On the same evening, Shaykh Rohimuddin Nawawi Al Bantani spoke to Al Falah TV about his role as a 'khadim' [Director] at Al Jailani's South East Asia Center and the uniqueness of Tafsir Al Jailani of which he has been given permission to teach.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah, we ought to be grateful that Malaysia is continually blessed with majlis ta'alim and that more and more international scholars, young and old, are frequenting this country.

Shaykh Mohammed Aslam is the founder of The City of Knowledge Academy in Birmingham, UK which has since its opening in 2009, become a bustling community hub. This graduate of Maahad al-Fatih al-Islami of Damascus is also imam and khatib of Lozells Central Mosque. He was a murid of the late Shaykh Dr Mohammed Said Ramadan al-Buti.

In Kuala Lumpur, next week, the Shaykh will be covering a variety of subjects:

True Freedom In A Materialistic World

Confusion of Knowledge and the Importance of Sanad

The Challenges of Dakwah in Current Times

Israk Mikraj

The Women of Islam

The Light of Guidance

***

'From the signs of the ignorance is to look down upon a Muslim who only prays Jummah because that one prayer may be a means which changes the entire course of his life. Allah is able to take anyone as a close friend.'

- Shaykh Mohammed AslamIn my humble opinion, the ummah need to hear a lot more liberating statements such as the one above. How dare we paint a picture as if the religion is an exclusive club for the pious or people who think they are more righteous than others hence have better authorities of the deen? Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihi wasalam right from the beginning had laid a foundation for an all-inclusive religion. He did not say 'Oh the pious of my people.' He said, 'ummati ummati...'

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Praise be to Allah that almost all of the trips we take are happy trips. Alhamdulillah.

Was in Penang last week and here I am again as God has willed it. I did not plan this trip which has turned out to be a very historic, meaningful and surreal trip.

Found this on a friend's FB:

'You know how it is.

Sometimes we plan a trip to one place,

but something takes us to another.'

- Mawlana Rumi

Am writing by the roadside, at one of Penang's famous street vendor, waiting for the nasi tomato (Tomato Rice) to be ready, at 5 pm. Yes Penangites are heavy rice eater, we eat rice for breakfast, lunch, tea-time, dinner and supper. That is why we are 'wholesome' people and we are 'well-rounded' heh heh...

Blogging on the run

Nasi Tomato

The 19th of May 2015 is indeed a special date for me, for reasons I cannot disclose here. But I must put it on record so that five or ten years down the road, I could look back and count my blessings.

May is also a special month because it is the birth month of my late father : )

May Allah bless our families and bless each generous soul. May Allah make us belong with people who understand and accept the role the Lord wants us to play and may we belong with those who graciously accept His decree.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah. It's a be-You-tiful day. [Writing this on a Sunday]. Am writing from the exact spot you see in the picture. Allah Wadud!

You won't believe this. Some people spied on me [yes the same woman who gatecrashed my house in Penang]. She somehow thought I had moved to a seemingly cheaper apartment and she sent sms asking if I had been "downgraded"? How snobbish and ill-hearted eh? And these people think they are holier. OMG. [MSA: no wonder you considered your wife nusyuz. Anyhow, please educate her.]

Anyways, I am not the type who brags but I remembered one ustaz once told me, it's advisable to show some pride to people who are proud. So know that while they rejoice thinking I'd been "downgraded", I have in fact received good news that I will be given another property valued at a little over 1 million Ringgit, bi-iznillah! Maybe it's good to have people who envy us? Maybe it's good to fan their envy so that they will keep destroying their faith and good deeds like fire destroys wood!

Ah! Let's blow away the husks and focus on good people who are kernels in this life, and keep busy doing something useful.

Our Malay readers may want to check out the latest video uploaded on Al Falah TV Youtube channel about a brother who busies himself organizing mawlid and majlis ta'alim in Penang. And a sister who spends her time and money travelling regularly to Mekah. When she is in the country, she spends her time going from one gathering of knowledge to another. I sure want to be like her when I reach 50 InshaAllah.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Yet another precious teachings of Habib Umar bin Hafiz taken from Muwasala.org which we need to learn and memorize.

***

On the night of Isra' wal Mikraj, the Messenger of Allah salallah alaihi wasalam was greeted by one of the Prophets as follows:

Peace be upon you, the First One
Peace be upon you, the Last One
Peace be upon you the Manifest One
Peace be upon you the Hidden One

In this salawat, Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him) calls upon Allah by His Name, the Hidden One [Ya Batin] and asks Him to bestow prayers upon His hidden Prophet.

O Allah the Hidden One, bestow abundant prayers and peace upon Your slave and beloved, our Master Muhammad, the hidden Prophet and upon his family and companions, and by him rectify in us all that is manifest and all that is hidden and purify our hearts. By him allow us to obey Your commands in the best way inwardly and outwardly.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Alhamdulillah, thanks to Brother Mohamed Sidek from Radical Middle Way Asia from whom we received recordings of the tausiyah by Habib Ahmad Hussein Aideed, held in KL last month.

Below is a partial transcript of the Habib's tausiyah:

Habib Ahmad Hussein Aideed began by praising Allah for bringing the attendees together in a gathering of remembrance and gathering of knowledge. He said, Muslims, male and female, none is independent of the need for zikir and knowledge. We all are in need of remembrance of Allah and knowledge. What we strive for is knowledge, that is knowledge that brings benefit. Knowledge that brings benefit is knowledge that increases the believer in his awe, respect and reverence for Allah. So that everytime he increases in knowledge, he increases in reverence and awe for Allah.

Allah subhanahu wata'ala commands the Prophet salallah alaihi wasalam to seek all of it and He taught him to say: "O our Lord, increase me in knowledge." He is the most knowledgeable of the creations of Allah without conditions. Without conditions means the Prophet is the most knowledgeable of creations including the angels, jinns and everything else. And even the most knowledgeable of Creations was commanded by Allah to make du'a to seek more knowledge.

What is the knowledge that Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad to seek more of? It is the knowledge that brings a servant of Allah closer to Him. This is what is called beneficial knowledge. Knowledge that brings a servant closer to Allah.

For that reason, Allah commanded the Prophet: Qul Rabbi zidni 'ilma - O our Lord, increase me in knowledge and in another ayah: Fa'lam annahu laila haillallah - Know that there is no God except Allah. In the second ayah, Allah uses the word know alluding to knowledge. Knowledge is what brings us to the realization that there is no deity except Allah.

It is obligatory upon all Muslims, male and female to learn this knowledge. Knowledge is that you know what is the meaning of la ilaha illallah. How many believing men and women say la ilaha illallah without knowing the reality of la ilaha illallah? The meaning of la ilaha illallah is that there is nothing to be worshiped, who deserves to be worshiped in existence, except Allah. Therefore, someone can continue his entire life learning and discovering the light of la ilaha illallah.

The first step in the pursuit of happiness is the seeking of knowledge. According to Imam Ghazali knowledge is divided into three categories. The first of this three knowledge is knowledge of Allah or knowing Allah. So it is obligatory upon all Muslims to learn the qualities (sifat) of Allah. All the existence and everything that happens in it is a manifestation of the act of Allah, it is the act of Allah. All of it is the creation of Allah even the actions of the creations is in reality the acts of Allah.

For that reason, Allah says in the Quran: 'Allah created you and that which you do' meaning even your actions that you do is from the creation of Allah. Therefore, it is a must for us to believe that all of existence is one act or the acts of Allah.

So then you know that Allah possess great qualities. Allah is the All-Powerful. He is Grand. He Hears and Sees. Everything that is in the heaven and earth is in His knowledge. The other quality that is necessary for all Muslims to know and this knowing affords the believer certainty in Allah.

Certainty is a light from Allah that Allah places in the heart of human beings. For this reason Prophet Muhammad says: 'Saidina Abu Bakar is not better than you because of his prayers or fasting but because the light that Allah places in his heart.'

The path or the way to happiness (saadah) is through certainty in Allah. So, it is obligatory upon all Muslims to seek certainty in Allah. Certainty in Allah is divided into three categories: certainty on the basis of knowledge (ilmu yaqin); certainty on the basis of seeing (ainul yaqin) and certainty on the basis of experience (haqqul yaqin). These are three categories of yaqin. And where does yaqin comes from? It comes from iman.

This is the first category of the obligatory knowledge that Imam Ghazali spoke about i.e. knowledge of Allah. This knowledge is extremely important. A mistake in this knowledge leads to disbelief. Ignorance or deviation in the knowledge of tauhid and the knowledge of aqidah takes someone out of the deen of Allah. As opposed to knowledge of fiqh, if somebody is ignorant of it and make a mistake, we say it's haram to be ignorant of fiqh but at least you remain in the fold of Islam. But ignorance in aqidah takes you out of the fold of Islam. For that, we seek protection from Allah.

Where can somebody find certainty? Where is the source of certainty? Certainty is a power in iman, it is what gives energy to iman, in the same way the body cannot move without energy, light bulb cannot be lit without energy, in the same way iman cannot go without certainty...

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Our friends in Singapore are busy preparing for a dawra on Imam Ghazali's Kitab Bidayatul Hidayah to be led by our dearest Shaykh Fahmi Zamzam al-Maliki. It's supposed to take place on 30th and 31st of May 2015 bi-iznillah. Let's pray so that everything will go smooth for the organizer. Ameen.

Upon knowing about the upcoming event, I looked up the kitab and found a chapter on adab of companionship with Allah. This is what Hujjatul Islam wrote and may, by reproducing it here, you and I will get to internalize it better.

Know that your Companion who does not leave you whether you are living in a place permanently or travelling, whether you are sleeping or awake, and indeed whether you are alive or dead, is He who is your Lord, your Master and your Creator. Whenever you remember Him, He is your Companion, as He (exalted is He) said: 'I am the companion of him who remembers Me.'

When your mind is filled with grief over your shortcomings in your religious duties, God is your inseparable Companion as God (exalted is He) said: 'I am with those whose minds are filled with grief for My sake.'

If you knew God truly and perfectly, you would take Him for a companion and leave people aside. Should you be unable to do this all the time, take care that your day and night are not without a time in which you will be alone with your Master and enjoy the pleasure of your secret converse with Him. At that time you have to follow the rules of companionship with Him, so you must learn them.

The rules of companionship with God are:

keeping silent with the head cast down

ignoring one's surrounding

concentration of care and attention on God

continuation of silence

keeping the body's members at rest

hastening to carry out His commands and avoiding His prohibitions

not complaining against fate

continual remembrance of God and reflection on Him

preference of the truth over falsehood

independence from people

humility before the awe of Him

brokenness of mind under the sense of shame

quiescence of mind from worries of earning a livelihood while relying on the guarantee of sustenance given by God

and trust in the bounty of God knowing that He chooses for man only that which is good for him.

All these should be your distinctive characteristics in all your days and nights for they are the rules of companionship with a Companion who does not leave you [at all] whereas [your companions from among] people sometimes leave you.

***

Of the 14 rules of companionship with the Most Loyal Companion, I need to hammer hard two of them: independence from people and that He chooses only the best for His servants. On this auspicious evening of Israk Mikraj, I wish you a serene time alone with Him.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah for another beautiful day, it's Friday, it's the last Friday in the month of Rajab.

What's your achievement this month? Though we all know it's impossible to enumerate the bounties of Allah, I am delighted to mention one, that my family and I have finally obtained the permission to recite the wazeefah in Kitab Barakat Makkiyah. That is but one of His generous bounties. Alhamdulillah. For that Alhamdulillah, we say Alhamdulillah again.

And I say Alhamdulillah that Allah has given me a little bit of education and knowledge that I have been able to work and look after my mother, even though there are people who ridiculed my Economics degree. You know they say, people can rob your money, but they can't rob your education from you. Oh well, at least I know the difference between believe and belief.

Anyway, folks, I wish you all a blessed day. Thanks for your visits and kind thoughts. I will try to share something useful tomorrow InshaAllah.

We caught up with him in Penang last week and asked him to speak about his background, his views on Muslims in Indonesia and Malaysia, and his words of advice for the youth, in conjunction with the Israk Mikraj occasion.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Was in Penang during the Mother's Day weekend and came back to KL, to these lovely pieces.

You know, we should all love our Lord because the more patient we are, the more shall we receive wonderful bounties from Him. So folks, let the critiques bark, let those who envy have their faith and good deeds destroyed, like fire destroys wood, whereas we keep achieving something new each day bi-iznillah. Actually the best reward for being patient is that He is with us. He is with those who are patient, yes.

Let's ponder on this wise sayings of Shaykh Salman Al-Oadah:

"When you see your achievements in front of you, do not stand and admire them for too long. Turn away from them so you can head off to achieve something new, and use your sense of achievement as a source of renewed energy for your future projects. The progression of your life's achievements, success, disappointments and experience carve out the course of your life and give it meaning."

Saturday, May 9, 2015

It's always a joy to be writing from Penang, my be-You-tiful hometown where all the be-You-tiful people live : )

We were supposed to attend a daurah on Tafsir Al-Jailani by Shaykh Rohimuddin Al-Banteni organized by Majlis Ta'lim Ahbabunnaby but the shaykh got held up in KL. It was supposed to be the 6th dawra.

Fortunately, as God willed it, we were able to benefit from a tausiyah by Shaykh Muhammad Husni Ginting of Indonesia and recorded his messages for the youth, on lessons they should heed from Israk Mikraj. Do check Al Falah TV Youtube channel from time to time.

***

OK folks, until next time, it's Mother's Day, let's spend some quality time with our mothers. My mom and I are heading to a special luncheon at a resort tomorrow InshaAllah.

Friday, May 8, 2015

At long last we managed to publish this video which was supposed to be the first to come out on Al Falah TV channel. We planned this and that, we shall continue planning this and that but Allah's plans prevails everytime, all the time.

The lessons I personally learned while trying to get this short piece out was that you should not depend on a single person to assist you because there are people who would especially turn you down when they know you depend quite a bit on them. That Allah is always there to open many other doors. That a student can actually do a better job than a "teacher" sometimes. That one should not be so proud about having a particular specialist knowledge because there are many others who in fact have better knowledge and understanding. That we should be humble and persistent in trying to learn new things. One of my earliest guides once said, "Knowledge is like water. Water can only accumulate on low grounds. Knowledge, likewise, will accumulate in a humble heart."

Anyway, folks, please watch the video below. It may be short, but Shaykh Abdul Aziz spoke succinctly about inculcating in youth the love for Prophet Muhammad salallah alaihi wasalam; about incorporating Al Falah (success) principles in our daily lives; about explaining tasawuf/Sufism to young people; about timeless New Year resolutions a Muslim should make; and his views about Muslims in this region.

Oh, it's 3 a.m. I need to prepare for a road trip. Pray Allah will keep us safe and carry us to another "Heavenly Garden" bi-iznillah. Pray we are given the tawfiq to have high aspirations in everything we do. Honestly, I wish I could write more regularly but....

But of course I miss you too!

Screencaptured the video
on poor quality due to horrible internet connection at our new office.
Half a loaf is better than none.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Pardon me, am still in holiday mood yet can't wait for my young and talented team mates to fill up those chairs. InshaAllah. I sure hope they'll love our new office as we are all set to work, work, work bi-iznillah.

The best part about being a boss is you can decide when you need to clock out, go chill and go for a swim : D

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.

"To have faith is to trust yourself to the water.
When you swim you don't grab hold of the water,
because if you do, you will sink and drown
Instead, you relax and float."
- Alan Watts

A bunch of us are going for a night swim now YaHuuuu...

Allah Kareem. Allah Wadud.

Enjoy the long weekend folks! Enjoy the present moment. Here's one quote I have just found and thought oh how profound. It's by Leornado da Vinci:

"In rivers, the water that you touch
is the last of what has passed
and the first of that which comes;
so with present time."

Let's embrace the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah.It's the first of May. It's Labor Day. It's public holiday in Malaysia. It's not a day one would go to the office but it is my first day at work at my new office, Yahuuuuu! I gladly "clocked in" at 8 am.

Allah Kareem indeed.

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I wish y'all a fabulous holiday. It's a long weekend for us here in Malaysia. Let's fill it up with pleasant moments and be contented with His endless bounties.